Chelsea started their Champions League campaign off with an embarrassing whimper in defeat to Dinamo Zagreb 1-0 at the Stadion Maksimir on Tuesday evening.
The Blues were as toothless as a turtle in a performance that was entirely emblematic of their woes thus far this season, caught cold and punished in a torrid defensive lapse and then conspiring to be utterly devoid of bright ideas thereafter.
It was a brilliant but lamentably simple bit of link-up play between Bruno Petković and Mislav Orsic that undid the Pensioners, with the latter surging through on goal and finishing impeccably during a lightning counter-attack in which the reckless Kalidou Koulibaly must shoulder the majority of the blame.
That goal came after what looked to be a decent start for the two time winners of this competition, and yet as is often the case they seemed stunned into submission at the first sign of adversity. Thomas Tuchel must have been similarly perplexed, and changed system at the break to stimulate his side once again.
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Yet they never truly threatened - if anything, Purgeri could have had a second if not for a immaculate save from the alert Kepa Arrizabalaga. Chelsea continued to pile on the possession but not the pressure and rarely tested Dominik Livaković, with the post also denying Reece James late on.
Fans will be furious at this quite frankly shambolic showing and Tuchel will no doubt share that consternation. He will be wanting a serious reaction from his men during a very short trip on Saturday lunchtime to face local rivals Fulham at Craven Cottage. Until then, here is how Absolute Chelsea rated the Blues' dismal performance in Croatia.
Kepa Arrizabalaga - 6/10
Got the nod for the evening after a period of very indifferent form from Chelsea's #1 Edouard Mendy, yet even a change of personnel between the sticks couldn't prevent another calamitous goal for the Blues to concede. The Spaniard wasn't the main culprit by any stretch, but it certainly doesn't further his cause in staking a claim for a starting berth. What does, however, was his quite exquisite save to stop a stinging Stefan Ristovski drive from distance.
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Cesar Azpilicueta - 5/10 [45]
The skipper was hooked off at half-time as Tuchel sought more options going forward, and it was a no brainer as he seemed sloppy and an easy target on the Dinamo counter.
Wesley Fofana - 4/10
Left all ends up by the pacey Mislav Orsic and that'll be a source of personal disappointment for the young Frenchman on his Champions League debut, although at that juncture the decision not to make a desperate attempt to slide in and risk a red card was the mature call to make. He struggled with Orsic all evening, though.
Kalidou Koulibaly - 3/10
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Amateur hour defending from an experienced defender for the hosts' goal. His decision to go for a header when it was never really on left the Pensioners' high-line completely at the mercy of the aforementioned Orsic. After a promising slate of first appearances in royal blue, his recent performances have been iffy at best and downright shoddy at worst - this was more of the latter.
Reece James - 5/10
Sparked into life near the end when he went close, only for the post to deny his low drive. Plenty of passion in trying to bring his side on terms, but lacking the usual quality expected of him.
Mason Mount - 3/10
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Offered nothing of requisite value all told and looks so far off his usual game at the moment that it's cause for some serious concern. Demonstrating a serious void of creativity and his meagre ball control points to either concentration or complacency issues, or both. After his atrocious substitute cameo against West Ham at the weekend, it's hard to see what evidence mandated him starting this one. Lucky to get away with what appeared to be a stonewall red card, too. Horrible showing.
Mateo Kovacic - 6/10 [59]
Looked like one of very few competent playing staff up for the task in Zagreb, facing off against the club where his senior career all began for the Croatian dynamo and for whom he was their youngest captain in history. With his midfield partner all but absent for the evening, he did well enough in the engine room and was rarely troubled by the spirited hosts, yet was unable to find the defence splitting pass Chelsea desperately needed.
Ben Chilwell - 5/10 [71]
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Chelsea's hero of the hour at the weekend was rewarded with a start here and while he did not factor into the Blues getting back on terms, what is altogether more positive is that the Englishman is visibly regaining confidence in the offensive positions he takes up as he continues his road of recovery from a bad injury sustained last season.
Raheem Sterling - 5/10 [76]
Tried to make things happen but one would argue trying too hard in some respects. Too often found himself driving at defenders only to narrow the angle, limit his options and get himself crowded out. Looks in need of a rest and a reset, which is not surprising given he has had to carry so much of the burden at the top end of the pitch thus far this season.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang - 4/10 [59]
Looked every bit a striker playing their first game for the club following injuries sustained during a traumatic personal incident. The Gabonese international was unsure of himself, afraid to pull the trigger and generally not yet in tune with his teammates. Understandable when it is early days.
Kai Havertz - 4/10
Started off silky, sharp and altogether unshackled when given space to operate on the wing rather than as Chelsea's focal point. Faded away quite substantially thereafter - if not totally fell apart in what was a Jekyll and Hyde performance before and after half-time - but there were signs of optimism that Chelsea using a more conventional number nine will help the German going forward.
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Hakim Ziyech - 4/10 [45]
Introduced at the interval to inject some impetus at the top end of the pitch. An early sighter of goal showed ambition, and his balls into the box were in theory dangerous, yet that little bit of the magic required from 'The Wizard' was found wanting.
Jorginho - 6/10 [59]
Decent enough in the middle of the park, without ever threatening to inject the necessary pace in Chelsea's offensive phase.
Armando Broja - 5/10 [59]
Lacked cutting instinct to find the right positions, albeit hardly surprising when some would argue he is not getting a fair crack of the whip at minutes when many of his colleagues are performing so pitifully.
Marc Cucurella - 5/10 [71]
Perfectly fine defensively but nowhere to be found offensively, certainly by comparison to Chilwell.
Christian Pulisic - N/A [76]
Featured Image Credit: AlamyTopics: Chelsea, Champions League
